COMPETING in a triathlon in blistering heat was the

latest challenge Lydney triathlete Andy Lewis faced on his road to Paralympic qualification for Rio 2016.

The dad-of-two competed in the Geneva European Championships where he finished in fourth place.

His result means he has been selected for the Rio Olympic test event in August.

Andy said: "As soon as we arrived it was 37 degrees – I have never felt temperature like it – we made our way to the pool to cool down. The following day we went to Lake Geneva which is huge and we practiced swimming in the choppy conditions and got used to the layout of the course.

"On race day we made our way to the course, it was 32 degrees. The time had come, it was 1600 and we were introduced to the crowd, we lined up in the water and asked to take our marks, we were off.

"I was third out of the water and made my way to the bike course where I cycled three laps which included two hills on each lap. That really took its toll on me and I was overtaken by another three athletes but soon we were on the run and it had my name all over it. 

"As I left transition I overtook two athletes and then another. I was in third place and 55 seconds behind the guy in third place, I had a little bit of fuel left in the tank and as I approached the last 500m, I had made up some time and was only 30 seconds behind third place. On the last 100m my coaches were cheering me on, I closed the gap but still short of 19 seconds.

"I finished in fourth place but gave it my all and had no more to give. My coaches were happy with my progress.

"Once I returned home I went back to camp, I was greeted by my lead coach and informed that due to my progress in Geneva I had been selected to participate in the Rio Olympics test event in August. I am very excited to be visiting Brazil and I just hope I am on the same start list next year."